Reinforce your heart with energy drinks

Cracking a ring pull for a temporary boost often gets a bad rap, with heart palpitations and high blood pressure cited as adverse effects. But now scientists from the University of Siena have found these accusations take too narrow a view and that energy drinks can actually strengthen your ticker. Their evidence shows that picking a beverage that contains taurine as well as caffeine (such as Red Bull, Monster or Rockstar) helps your heart to beat more strongly for at least an hour after drinking. A stronger heartbeat means enhanced athletic performance.

Any increases in blood pressure were found to be only small and in fact outweighed by these heart- strengthening effects. So down one before your next workout and you could find it that much easier to raise your game. And the barbell.

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